Carl Frampton has been stripped of his WBA super-bantamweight title, it emerged today.

The boxing body confirmed they have taken the title from the North Belfast fighter after he failed to face Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.

In a decision posted on the WBA website, Championships Chairman Gilberto Jesus Mendoza said: “In light of Frampton’s announced intention to face an opponent other than his mandatory, and for failing to respond to WBA inquiries as to his intent, Frampton’s recognition as Champion is removed.”

Frampton won the title in February after he outpointed Scott Quigg in Manchester in a highly anticipated bout. The IBF champion was then ordered to face Rigondeaux just two days later but the organisation have now decided to strip him after he failed to respond.

He will have to fullfil his IBF commitments later this year and he is now expected to take on mandatory challenger Shingo Wake.

Further detailing their decision, the WBA said that in January, this year they “authorized WBA champion Scott Quigg to participate in a unification bout with IBF champion Carl Frampton via special permit conditioned on the winner facing Rigondeaux as the next opponent”.

They say the “Resolution was provided to Frampton’s representatives the following day”.

The WBA added that two days after Frampton beat Quigg they “wrote to Frampton again advising him of his mandatory obligation to face Rigondeaux as his next opponent”.

However, they added that in the wake of several press releases announcing that Frampton did not intend to face Rigondeaux, they contacted the Frampton camp to clarify the situation but received no response.

It is as yet unclear what the position of Frampton or his management is regarding the situation.